MANILA, (PIA) -- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos, Jr. recognized. the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in their effort to release more than 103,000 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) this year 2022 as part of their ongoing initiative to decongest the jails.

"I salute the BJMP for their decongestion efforts. Overcrowding in jails has been a problem for a long time and we should continue our efforts to address it," said Abalos.

"I know for sure that BJMP will not stop here. I know they will continue to lead the improvement of the condition of our PDL compatriots," he added.

According to Abalos, he is happy with the release of 77,960 PDLs in 2022 through paralegal services and the release of 25,333 PDLs through other paralegal modes.

The secretary also added that according to BJMP data, 6,288 PDLs or 10% of the total 130,138 average monthly jail population are released from their jail facilities every month.

He said he is grateful to the BJMP for their program to release qualified PDLs and for maintaining "zero overstaying PDLs" in their 478 jail facilities nationwide.

From the last data, BJMP has a 367% congestion rate or 126,820 PDLs nationwide.

"BJMP is utilizing all legal means to decongest our jails, and we are grateful that President Marcos is supporting these efforts," said BJMP Chief, Jail Director Allan Iral.

Elders ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. the continued release of PDLs who are eligible for parole. (PIA-NCR)